In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 327 It seems the difference between me and Xie Wei lies in our level of shamelessness.
"So, does this mean the higher-ups are planning to break up Harbin Institute of Technology like they did with Harbin Military Engineering Institute?"

After hearing Xie Wei's explanation, Xie Jianguo was shocked.

"Let's split it up then, as long as it doesn't affect our son's future."

Liu Mei didn't care.

My son went to university and is now a government official.

Even if Harbin Institute of Technology is split up, it won't affect my son's job as a government official after graduation, right?
"What do you, a woman, know! Once it's split up, the school's influence will be reduced. How can this not affect our son's future?"

Xie Jianguo grumbled at Liu Mei, saying she had long hair but short wits.

For ordinary students, the impact of the school's actions won't be too significant, but is Xie Wei an ordinary student? Xie Jianguo personally witnessed the influence his son had on Harbin Institute of Technology and saw the importance the school leaders placed on Xie Wei.

The school's influence diminishes when it is split up.

"It can't be that bad, it can't be that bad..."

Xie Wei quickly shook his head.

"I'm stuffed……"

At that moment, Xie Rou put down the chicken leg bone in her hand, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, got up and walked outside, saying, "I'm going to wash my hands."

She didn't care about what Xie Wei was talking about.

Anyway, it won't affect her studies, right?
"The food is cold, I'll go heat it up."

Liu Mei was aware of these national affairs, but she couldn't offer any suitable suggestions. She mentioned things like how the poaching of talent created a bloodsucker effect, affected the development of other units, set a bad precedent, and was already developing into an oligarchy... Even these terms were beyond her comprehension, given how she was making fewer and fewer typos when writing letters to her son.

"So, we have to stop this great situation we've got?"

Xie Jianguo's face showed displeasure.

"Other units can't even make a living, yet they can't stand seeing others thrive? This is just jealousy! What happened to the reform and opening up policy, which promised to let a group of units develop first, and then drive the development of other units?"

Xie Jianguo's words were spot on.

"It's not about stopping, but about making adjustments. We can't continue blindly poaching talent and developing recklessly like we are now."

Xie Wei could understand the old man's distress.

It wasn't just Xie Jianguo; many school leaders and leaders of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry also didn't want to see their subordinate units develop recklessly.

The consequences are too serious.

As someone who has been through it, Xie Wei can understand.

Samsung is a dominant player, accounting for one-fifth of the country's GDP at its peak. If such an oligopoly encounters problems, the entire economy will be affected.

The oligarchs of the military-industrial complex went even further: in order to gain more profits, they constantly encouraged countries to go to war. After the fall of their old rival, the Soviet Union, the US military spending continued to rise, at one point accounting for 40% of the world's military expenditure.

If there had been no intervention, Harbin Institute of Technology or its affiliated university-enterprise offices might have become such an oligopoly.

"So, what about celebrating Chinese New Year this year?"

"No visitors allowed!"

On the way back, Xie Wei had already thought it through. What the higher-ups wanted was a certain attitude; otherwise, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

"Where are the relatives?"

Liu Mei, who had just brought in the reheated dishes, asked nervously.

Xie Wei looked puzzled.

In the past, there were hardly any relatives visiting during the Lunar New Year. He even envied his peers who had relatives to visit: when visiting relatives during the Lunar New Year, they could receive lucky money, even if it was only a few cents.

"The factory is developing rapidly, so the demand for workers is huge. We're constantly recruiting, both from other places and your uncle's children are growing up..."

Xie Jianguo began to speak.

"No, we won't go either. How about this, Mom and Dad, you pack your things, we'll go to Huadu for the New Year."

Instead of staying at home, you'll definitely get visits from business associates, superiors, subordinates, relatives, and friends.

Now that Hongguang Factory needs to scale back its operations, the Rongcheng Municipal Government and the leaders of Hongguang Factory's supervisory unit will certainly not be happy. There is no way to explain this to them. After the New Year, Xie Jianguo will divest some of the business according to Xie Wei's plan.

Let some supporting industries be outsourced and let them operate according to market rules.

Upon hearing this, Liu Mei's face immediately showed disappointment.

"We've outsourced our rice cooker and pressure cooker businesses, as they don't involve much technology. Hongguang Factory is shifting its focus to more technologically advanced areas like machinery manufacturing and electronics manufacturing."

Xie Wei told Xie Jianguo about the plan he had come up with on the train.

Previously, Hongguang Factory used the profits from kitchen appliances such as rice cookers and pressure cookers to support the technical development funding of Harbin Institute of Technology. Nowadays, the millions of yuan in funding provided by Hongguang Factory each year is no longer so important.

"Rice cookers and pressure cookers are currently the main sources of profit for Hongguang Factory! Without these businesses, Hongguang Factory would lack funding for technological research and development, and it would also be difficult to repay bank loans."

Xie Jianguo never expected that Xie Wei would ask him to cut his own flesh as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Dad, can the profit margins of rice cookers and pressure cookers compare to those of CNC systems?"

"That can't be."

Xie Jianguo shook his head. "The Hongguang Factory's technical department has designed several more rice cookers with more functions based on the plans you left behind, but they haven't been released yet."

"What I mean by divestiture is not abandoning everything! We will maintain our technology research and development, choose reliable contract manufacturers, and transfer the technology and production out. The Hongguang factory will no longer produce, but we must control the sales channels. We will take 50% of the profits."

Xie Wei is unwilling to give up the brand that has already been cultivated.

Brand premium accounts for a large proportion of the product's selling price.

International products of the same type will gradually flood the market. If you don't have your own brand, the most profitable high-end market will eventually be occupied by foreign products.

"It's no different from now!"

Xie Jianguo looked at Xie Wei with a puzzled expression.

They just don't produce it.

Currently, Hongguang Factory's production only accounts for a small portion; it only controls the production of core components.

"It's getting late, let's talk after we eat. I'm not going anywhere for the New Year. Who travels around for the New Year? Even a beggar has his own New Year!"

Liu Mei looked displeased.

Upon hearing that Xie Wei had returned, she had already informed her family, even though it was only a little over 200 kilometers from Chengdu to her family home. Since Xie Wei started school, he had rarely been home.

Back then, Xie Jianguo's salary was not high, and there were four people to feed in his family. The ration was also insufficient, so his wife's family provided a lot of financial assistance.

Therefore, after becoming the factory director, Xie Jianguo immediately recruited several children from Liu Mei's family who met the age requirements into the Hongguang Factory.

This time, Liu Mei plans to let Xie Wei meet her family and try to mend the estranged family ties.

"Mom, we've started reform and opening up! Our mindset needs to change too so we can keep up with the times."

Xie Wei just saw his mother's disappointment.

He understands his mother's feelings.

In particular, when the original owner was in junior high school, he ate a lot and didn't like to eat coarse grains, so his grandfather, who was the brigade leader, often helped him out.

But the Xie family really can't see their relatives now.

Xie Jianguo brought too many relatives into the factory.

The biggest difference between Xie Jianguo and Xu Zhihui's group is that Xie Jianguo did not accept any benefits from anyone.

"Pursuing progress is for you young people; I'm old!"

Liu Mei said defiantly.

"Eat, eat."

Xie Jianguo knew what Liu Mei was thinking, but Liu Mei didn't realize the seriousness of the matter; she just wanted her family to see how outstanding her son was.

Xie Wei didn't say anything more and ate his meal in silence.

After dinner, Mom cleaned up, and Xie Jianguo personally brewed two cups of tea and brought them to the main room. "Don't blame your mother. Back then, your maternal grandfather and uncles saved every penny of their food to support our family... Because of this, your eldest aunt hanged herself in front of the whole family during the Lunar New Year..."

Xie Jianguo softly recounted the events of that year to his son, “Originally, when you were sent to the countryside, your maternal grandfather wanted to use his connections to get you into the Hulu Brigade, where he was the brigade leader and your eldest uncle was the deputy secretary of the commune… If I hadn’t hardened my heart and brought you back, you wouldn’t have suffered so much in your maternal grandfather’s brigade…”

Xie Wei remained silent.

He hadn't experienced many of these things, and although he understood them, he couldn't empathize with them.

“Your maternal grandfather’s place is different from other places. Back then, I had a job, I was a technician, but your mother was illiterate… Your maternal grandfather and uncles were afraid that I wouldn’t treat your mother well…”

Previously, Xie Jianguo would never talk about these things in front of his son.

"Dad, Grandpa and the others, let's go see them after this is over. Now is really not the right time."

Xie Wei sighed. He knew that women in Sichuan and Chongqing had high social status and fiery personalities, which made the Shu Road a formidable obstacle that no man in the entire Sichuan and Chongqing region could overcome.

It turns out that her confidence came from her maternal family.

Look at how my uncle's attempt to help his mother led to his wife attempting suicide at home during the Lunar New Year...

Even TV dramas wouldn't dare portray something like this.

“Okay, I’ll talk to your mom and ask your grandparents to come later after the New Year.”

"..."

Xie Wei didn't know what to say.

Since Xie Wei returned, Xie Jianguo has turned down all social engagements and stayed in his office every day to oversee things.

Xie Rou continued to stay home and study every day. Even when Xie Wei repeatedly told her to go play with her classmates, Xie Rou rolled her eyes and said, "I'm in college now, who would play with a bunch of childish junior high students?" leaving her speechless.

And then I stopped paying attention to her.

Xie Wei was also busy, learning about the details of Hongguang Factory every day, without even visiting the local switch factory.

After learning of Xie Wei's return, the Rongcheng Municipal Government invited him to their city for several days in a row, but Xie Wei declined each time.

Left with no other choice, Xu Hongxia and Huang Rongkui could only ask Luo Cheng to go to Xie Wei's house to find out what was going on.

It's quite unusual that Xie Jianguo turned down all social engagements, refused to attend various commendation meetings, and even skipped some key meetings.

Now that Hongguang Factory has announced plans to divest or transfer some of its business to interested entities, Xu Hongxia and others are filled with even more doubts.

Why not take advantage of a profitable business?
It doesn't make sense.

The technology used by Hongguang Factory was from Harbin Institute of Technology, and the intermediary was Xie Wei.

Xie Wei returned to Chengdu for the Chinese New Year. Apart from learning about the business of Hongguang Factory, he did not contact anyone outside. He not only did not visit Wei Guotao, Liang Hong and others who strongly supported Hongguang Factory, but he also ignored their invitations!

How could Xu Hongxia not be anxious?
Unable to find Xie Wei, they could only ask Luo Cheng for help in finding out the details.

"I thought you went home for the Chinese New Year."

When Xie Wei returned home, Luo Cheng had already been waiting for quite some time.

Before Luo Cheng could speak, she took the initiative to ask.

"If my career fails, how can I go home?"

Luo Cheng also holds the position of deputy director of the school-enterprise cooperation office, and serves as the deputy factory director of the digital signal switch factory jointly established by the school-enterprise cooperation office and the Rongcheng Municipal Government. Considering his age, his position is already quite high.

After arriving in Chengdu, I was unwilling to leave unless absolutely necessary.

"Did Secretary Xu send you to see me?"

"What are you saying? Knowing you were coming back, as a friend, couldn't I come and see you?"

Luo Cheng defended himself.

"The school will begin adjusting some projects after the New Year, and Hongguang Factory will undergo industrial restructuring, with businesses such as rice cookers being prepared for transfer..."

"Huh? Where's the switch?"

"Develop according to the original plan. This is not within the scope of the adjustment."

Xie Wei spoke up.

Switches are a core business in Harbin Institute of Technology's current industrial structure. If it were to relinquish control, it would be difficult to compete with powerful international brands, especially given the large-scale entry of international telecommunications giants.

Advanced communication technologies have an even greater impact on the development of integrated circuits.

Without a market, funding for continued research and development becomes a problem.

The school's technology in the field of communications is related to the progress of many military projects. Even if military projects are cut, Xie Wei will not give up the switch project, which has already made good progress.

"Can I ask why?"

Luo Cheng pondered for a moment, then asked Xie Wei earnestly.

Xie Wei did not deny it, and explained the situation to him, concluding by saying, "Blind expansion can easily lead to a break in the capital chain. The school has too many projects that require huge investments. The same goes for Hongguang Factory. Once a break in the capital chain occurs, loans cannot solve the problem. In the end, will the school-enterprise office bail them out or not?"

Luo Cheng nodded.

They did not express their own opinion.

This made Xie Wei realize that Luo Cheng, whom he had tricked into joining the school-enterprise office, had grown a lot and was much more composed than before.

"If that happens, won't the school's research progress be affected? Also, how will the funding issue be resolved? Will there be any funding from higher authorities?"

He asked about the topic he was interested in.

He also hoped to quickly accumulate achievements in the school-enterprise cooperation office and make better progress.

"Funding shouldn't be a major issue in the short term. As for research, it's not like we've stopped. The shift from independent research by the university to collaborative research with more institutions... will have some impact on progress, but not too much."

Xie Wei reassured Luo Cheng.

Suspending project expansion also has significant benefits for schools: it allows them to digest current projects first and avoids the emergence of talent and funding gaps caused by rapid expansion.

“The university-enterprise cooperation project is different from the scientific research project and is not in the adjustment sequence. The cooperation model and profit sharing ratio will be adjusted in the later stage, but there is no specific plan yet.”

"Can Rongcheng take over the industries divested from Hongguang Factory?"

"Ok?"

Xie Wei looked at Luo Cheng with a puzzled expression.

The Chengdu Municipal Government has taken over the assets divested from Hongguang Factory.
What do you mean?
"They hope to establish a company specifically to manage these industries..."

Under Xie Wei's questioning gaze, Luo Cheng explained in detail Xu Hongxia and the others' ideas.

"A dedicated asset management unit?"

After listening, Xie Wei murmured, recalling an organization that would not be established for another twenty years.

"However, setting up a company for management is not very suitable. It would be better to have relevant functional departments, which would make management more convenient."

Xie Wei then described the situation of the unit that specialized in managing state-owned enterprises twenty years later.

"Is there a difference?"

Luo Cheng looked surprised.

In his view, Xie Wei's points were not that different; one was functional department management, and the other was company management.

"right……"

Xie Wei nodded.

He further shared his thoughts with Luo Cheng, hoping that Luo Cheng could convey his ideas to Xu Hongxia and the others.

"Why don't you take some time to meet with Secretary Xu and the others? Secretary Xu said he has time to see you anytime."

Luo Cheng also thought Xie Wei's suggestion was feasible.

Based on the information I relayed, I always felt that Xie Wei, that old silver coin, was plotting something again.

Don't let him sell you out and then help you count the money.

"Just pass on the message, Secretary Xu and the others will understand. You know my situation when I was in school, I came back to rest properly and study and improve better."

Xie Wei shook his head.

"..."

Luo Cheng almost cursed: "You're already so capable, yet you still want to study harder and improve even more? Are you really not leaving any way out for ordinary people like yourself?!"

He has worked much harder than before, but now he can't even handle many things at the switch factory.

Xie Wei said this at this moment!

"Alright, it's getting late. We're not hosting any guests this year, so I won't keep you for dinner. You should head back now."

After finishing their business, and seeing that it was getting late, Xie Wei told them to leave.

"..."

Luo Cheng's lips twitched: It was the New Year, after all. He brought two cans of malted milk powder and two bottles of wine to Xie Wei's door, but Xie Wei didn't even make him a cup of tea, and then made such a high-sounding excuse for not inviting him to stay for dinner.

Shameless!

Perhaps this is the real difference between myself and Xie Wei?

(End of this chapter)